Tuesday, October 09, 2012

This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

CPS announces low one-year dropouts and high freshmen “on-track-to-graduate” rateChicago Sun-Times, Chicago, IL – October 5, 2012Chicago Public Schools officials early Friday hailed more positive signs for the system: a record low one-year dropout rate and a record high freshmen “on-track-to-graduate” rate. Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard said in an embargoed statement that the 2011-2012 numbers were “another encouraging sign of progress.’’

In Fight Against Dropouts, ‘The Meat Of The Sandwich Is Middle School’KERA News, Texas – October 4, 2012In the battle to keep students in school, experts often target the ends of the educational spectrum: early childhood, when kids pick up basic skills, and high school, when most dropouts happen. But some are starting to look in a different direction – the middle.

Beyer High program in Modesto gains national honorThe Modesto Bee, Modesto, CA – October 1, 2012Beyer High's AdvancePath Academy will be honored this month by the National Dropout Prevention Network for its success in keeping kids in school. The program was announced Monday as one of two nationwide to earn the network's Crystal Star Award. Terri Salaiz, head teacher in the Beyer program, will travel to Orlando, Fla., for the Oct. 16 ceremony.

Mayor Highlights "Close To Home" Juvenile Justice ProgramNY1, New York – October 4, 2012Juvenile offenders are now living within the five boroughs and attending schools here after years of serving time upstate. The Close to Home initiative transfers the majority of young offenders to the city's control from the state. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in Brooklyn Thursday to highlight the program. NY1's Zack Fink filed the following report.

Juvenile Justice wins Harvard awardThe Advocate, Louisiana – October 5, 2012The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice has been recognized by Harvard University for its innovative programming, an OJJ spokeswoman said Thursday. OJJ’s Service Coordination Model was recognized through the “Bright Ideas” program, an initiative of the broader Innovations in American Government Awards program at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Jerel M. Giarrusso, OJJ’s spokeswoman, said in a news release.

Foster Care

Local Program Teaches Independence to Foster KidsWSET ABC13, Lynchburg, VA – October 8, 2012Kids in foster care have a tough transition when they leave the system and go out on their own. But one area organization is bridging that gap and seeing a lot of success. Lynchburg's Impact Living Services opened its doors in July.

Footsteps to the Future offers mentoring for girls aging out of foster careNaples News, Naples, FL – October 4, 2012Turning 18 can be an exciting milestone for teens, but for those in foster care it's a number they dread. But a Fort Myers-based nonprofit is trying to offer young women in foster care a chance at success. Footsteps to the Future, which helps young women transition out of foster care, has developed a new mentoring program that pairs at-risk teens with mentors who will push them to graduate, while also guiding them into adulthood.

Foster kids can overcome extra financial obstaclesChicago Tribune, Illinois – October 2, 2012Eddye Vanderkwaak's life story is really two tales. There's the girl who grew up in a dysfunctional home in Iowa until she was 14, living primarily with her father. It was a week-to-week existence, with her father borrowing from friends and family members to cover the bills. It's been a dramatic transformation -- one that Vanderkwaak admits might not have happened if not for Opportunity Passport, a financial education program developed by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.

Teen Pregnancy

Alternative schools focus on pregnancyTulsa World, Tulsa, OK – October 8, 2012Some kids hold hands in the hallway, work on school work during lunch break or chat about their upcoming weekend plans. Pregnant and parenting teens have the option of staying in their schools, but many choose to attend alternative schools.